According to The Dallas Morning News, the top insurance carriers with the most complaints (based on Insurance Department complaint index*) were:

It only takes one fire, tornado, flood or hurricane to completely destroy everything you own. Insurance adjusters work with homeowners frequently who have lost everything, but when they cannot provide an inventory of their personal property, the entire process is more difficult.

Most consumers purchase homeowners insurance to repair or replace their home if it is damaged, but often lose sight that their home is also filled with valuable personal property. It can be daunting to recall everything you have accumulated over the years after you experience a loss.

Keeping an inventory of possessions is like a second insurance policy. It will make the claims settlement process much easier and eliminate a lot of headaches.

Experts suggest you take photos or videos of every room in your home including cloests and bathrooms.  They should be stores outside the home (office, friend/relative's home or safety deposit box). You might also consider downloading them to a computer or flash drive as a backup.

There are businesses that offer these services if that is easier for you.  Please call us if you would like a referral.

Shelly Guibert, Ben Goodwyn Agency, 972.618.0100  shelly@bengoodwynagency.com

For many drivers, getting behind the wheel is second nature, so it is easy to make errors without realizing it.  The problem is, these errors can lead to serious accidents. Avoid these mistakes and keep yourself and others safe on the road.

It only takes a few seconds for a lifetime of memories to go up in flames. As we grow older, our risk of dying in a home fire goes up dramatically.  If you are 50 or older, please pay special attention to fire safety.  For your well-being and others you love.

Children are twice as likely to be killed by a vehicle on Halloween (versus other days of the year) according to Safe Kids USA.

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has issued a bulletin urging insurers to avoid placing unreasonable burdens or hardship on victims of identity theft.

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has issued a bulletin urging insurers to avoid placing unreasonable burdens or hardship on victims of identity theft.

Act quickly if you suspect you've been the victim of identity theft.  Here are some common warning signs:

• You receive bills from a credit account you did not open
• There are unauthorized charges on your credit card statement, long distance telephone bill, or bank account statement
• You are contacted by a collection agency regarding a debt you did not incur
• Bank and credit billing statements don't arrive on time
• Your credit report shows accounts or inquiries you did not authorize
• You are turned down for insurance (or notified of a rate increase), refused a credit card, loan, mortgage, or other form of credit because of unauthorized debt on your credit report
• A business or company you do business with notifies you that personal information about you may have been inadvertently disclosed to other parties or fraudulently obtained

What to do if you believe you've been the victim of identity theft

• File a police report and keep a copy (many banks and credit agencies require a police report before they acknowledge that a theft has occurred)
• Contact one of the primary credit reporting bureaus to have a security alert placed on your report (they will notify the other bureaus)
• Request a copy of your credit report and review it for unauthorized account activity. Check your report periodically to verify its accuracy
• Report unauthorized charges and accounts to the appropriate creditors and credit bureaus immediately by phone and in writing. Cancel those accounts.
• If your wallet, purse or checkbook is lost or stolen, immediately cancel your credit and debit cards and get replacements. Contact your bank and stop payment on all lost or stolen checks.
• If you are notified by a business that your personal information may have been fraudulently obtained by another party, contact one of the credit bureaus and ask that a fraud alert be placed on your account.

It is estimated that one in every four accidents involves a driver who is either talking or texting on a cell phone (according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).